Bargello Quilt – and ancient pattern adapted to make this beautiful quilt
The Bargello design, also called a “flame stitch,” was originally stitched into canvas and primarily used to make upholstery. In this case, a traditional Bargello pattern was adapted to create the Amish quilt you see here. The maker used a mix of dramatic fabrics in shades of teal, gray, black and white to contrast within a complex pattern and create what appears to be three dimensional depth. Her quilting within the main part of the quilt emphasizes the pattern this by mirroring the peaks and valleys of this Bargello pattern. (Item 1025)
Approximate dimensions: 104″ X 115″ – $1,350.00
Physical examples of double ring (or Double Wedding Ring) patterns in textiles can be found in museum collections dating as early as 1825. However, double interlocking circles, much like those seen in Double Wedding Ring quilt patterns, can be found on Roman cups dating back as to the 4th century 
A.D. This unique and difficult to execute pattern also carries names as varied as Rainbow, Endless Chain, King Tut and Friendship Knot.
one piece of fabric or many small pieces sewn together to create an arc. Quilters with a good eye for color typically place contrasting colors at the point where the arcs meet. A quilter’s piecing 
combined with her hand quilted details give the rings depth and movement.
As well as being among the most difficult and time consuming patterns to execute, applique quilt patterns are among the oldest. Applique quilt and blanket fragments have been found dating back as far as 1066 in England (the oldest surviving fragment is actually Egyptian and dates to 980 B.C.).
The word “applique” comes from the French and literally means “applied” or “fastened to”. Different cultures have used this technique for everything from family crests to depicting familiar flowers, animals and other items seen in daily life.
In the case of Amish applique quilts, once decided upon, the design is freehand cut and then hand sewn, piece-by-piece, to a quilt face. The quilter then hand quilts around each element to give it height and texture. A beautiful example of a quilt pattern with a rich history (and favored by quilters) is the Rose of Sharon Lily of the Valley quilt. Our photos illustrate how the edges of every element, no matter how tiny, are turned under, then appliqued onto the quilt face with even hand stitches.
